First post- Tarpon question?

slayemhard

So lately there's been big schools of poonies, hundreds of them out on my flat. I've been freelining finger mullet, typically sightcasting their school, and I'll toss it around 10 feet in front of them but they aren't wanting to grab, only sometimes. Any suggestions? I know Tarpon are aggressive and very ealry morning feeders so what don't they like?

Thanks!

Alleni

Try throwing a tiny bucktail and ripping across the surface. Sometimes it gets them stirred up. They could be feeding on tiny bait, and get fixated on that size only.

Flfjack

try a lighter leader and smaller hook

FishyGirl

And try shrimp. Smaller and easier for them to munch

kingralph

Probably feeding on glass minnows there have been many along the beach lately .. Tastiest bait in the sea gonna be tough with that mullet.

Rippin_lips

Not sure what area you're in but I've seen a ton of green backs ranging from glass minnow to 2 inches. Net some small greenbacks and they will probably slurp them down.

NSB Photog

How big are they?

I have found that one of those small, white or chartreuse crappie jigs (the feather kind, not the curly tail) reeled slowly just under the surface will usually entice a bite from smaller tarpon. Just have to lighten up on the tackle a bit to cast it for any considerable distance and keep from bending the small hooks, but that's part of the fun.

SpaceCoast Slayer

If they are juvi poons, you definitely want to downsize and go white or chartruese.. I throw a 2" curly tail in white on a crappie style jig and they destroy it.. The trick is finding a jighead with a hook that's slim for easier penetration yet strong so they don't bend it out..

bostonsox2904

SpaceCoast Slayer wrote: »

If they are juvi poons, you definitely want to downsize and go white or chartruese.. I throw a 2" curly tail in white on a crappie style jig and they destroy it.. The trick is finding a jighead with a hook that's slim for easier penetration yet strong so they don't bend it out..

Or use a proper hook and a pegged bullet weight!